The best way to enhance your understanding of the word “astute” is by learning the astute definition, meaning, usage, and synonyms of words. More so, reading the word’s different sentence examples and learning its origin helps your brain retain the word. Here is everything you need to know about the word “astute.”
“Astute” (adjective) means “marked by hardheaded intelligence.” The context with this word describes people who understand different behavior and situations and have the skill of using this knowledge to their advantage. If someone is “astute,” they are clever and have good judgment.
It is vital to understand that not all the clever or smart things that people do can be described as “astute.” So, before you start using this vocabulary, it is best to take the time to understand it. That way, you will know where you can apply it in different situations. Learn more below:
What Is The Definition of Astute?
The definition of “astute” is “having or showing clever or shrewd mind, or being cunning, crafty, and wily.” For example, some people know how to maneuver different situations by being devious and deceptive. Yet, they do it smartly so that others don’t know. Such people are “astute.”
“Astute” people playfully do things and still yield the needed outcome. Some people try to beat or bring them down, but since they have an intelligent mind and a clever way of doing things, bringing them down is not easy.
Example sentences:
- I admire Silas since he is an astute artist, and he only works with talented and creative singers.
- My student Simon Peters mentioned an astute observation in the classroom.
- Monday’s Olympic swimming competition has the most astute swimmers, and that makes it difficult to predict who might win.
Family Words of Astute
When you learn the different family words of “astute,” you get to know how to use the vocabulary in various forms. More so, you will have an easier time constructing sentences in various parts of speech.
Astutely (adverb): Astutely means accurately assessing situations and people perceptively. Examples:
- Oscar David astutely pointed out that one has to be a great painter for their art to sell.
- James astutely recognized the potential of a larger opportunity in the real estate business, and that is why he pursued it.
- The C.E.O. will incorporate the move she astutely suggested to help us reach our business to greater heights.
Astuteness (noun): Astuteness means the intellectual ability to penetrate deeply into ideas. Examples:
- The young soldier seems to lack the astuteness and dynamics that they possess.
- Though those who disagree with us might not be right, we like their astuteness.
Synonyms and Antonyms of Astute
When learning a new word, prioritize knowing the word synonyms and antonyms. That will give you a rough idea of the word; you will also learn of similar and opposite words that you can use to spice your conversations and make everything interesting.
Astute Synonyms and Their Meaning
- Canny: Showing shrewdness and good judgment.
- Clear-eyed: Having a shrewd understanding with no illusions
- Clear-sighted: Having a clear vision
- Savvy: Shrewdness and practical knowledge
- Devious: Showing a skillful use of underhand tactics to help you achieve your goals.
- Heady: Having a strong or exhilarating effect
- Knowing: Showing or suggesting that one has knowledge only seen by a few people.
- Smart: Someone who is tidy and clean, and well-dressed.
- Sharp: Showing alert competence and clear understanding
- Artful: Clever of skill, especially in a crafty or canning way.
Astute Antonyms and Their Meaning
- Unknowing: Note being aware
- Artless: Without skill or finesse
- Guileless: Innocent and without deception
- Naive: Showing lack of experience, wisdom, or judgment
- Innocent: Not guilty of an offense or crime
- Gullible: Easily persuaded to believe something is credulous
- Unperceptive: Lacking perception
- Obtuse: Slow to understand
- Dull: Lacking interest and excitement
Words That Have the Same Sound As Astute
Some words in the English language have the same sounds, but their meanings are not related. It helps to learn similar sounds with astute words because you can use them when you need rhyming words for your song, poem, or any other project. They include:
- Assiduity
- Acidity
What Is The Meaning of Astute?
The meaning of “astute” is someone clever. “Astute” is a word that compliments someone, and instead of saying that the idea someone has is great, “astute” defines someone who knows how to get what they want.
Some people have discerning intelligence and know what they need to do to get what they want. In such cases, these people are known to be “astute.” Remember, this word is used mostly where the personal benefit is derived.
Example sentences:
- Astute clients will always read the fine print in the contract before signing it.
- The astute lawyer who invested in the stocks made more money than he had ever practiced law.
- Lucy has always been an astute observer of human behavior, which is why she is trusted to choose the right manager for the job.
Can Calling Someone Astute Be An Insult?
It is not all the time that “astute” is used as a positive word. The word can also be negative depending on how you use it in a sentence. In fact, in some contexts, it is an insult. In most cases, when the phrase is used as abuse, “captain obvious” is used before introducing the word.
Example sentences:
- Well done, captain, obvious, on your astute comment about my outfit and its many flaws.
- Never mind, the captain obviously had an astute suggestion that I should add sugar if I want the drink to be sweeter.
- That was a very astute comment claiming that your party will be greater than mine.
How to Use Astute in a Sentence?
“Astute” is an adjective and when using it in a sentence, ensure you use it as a word naming attribute of a noun.
It is also vital to understand that the word “astute” can either be positive or negative, and that is why you need to be careful when using it so that you do not end up miswriting it.
What Does Legally Astute Mean?
The word “astute” can also be used in the law when referring to the management team that communicates effectively with the counties and works together to help in solving complex issues. Such a team is said to be legally astute.
What Does The Biblical Astute Mean?
In the Bible, the word “astute” means “craft.” The word implies someone keen and observant and that they form sound judgment depending on the knowledge of their experience.
10 Examples of Astute in a Sentence
Improving your vocabulary is important as it helps you avoid writing vague words. Learning new words makes it easier to describe specific settings, emotions, and ideas. Here are some examples for inspiration.
- Being a good leader is having an astute judge of ability.
- It took him time, but the decision he made was astute.
- The man has been successful since he makes a series of astute decisions.
- The one thing that has made her rise politically is her astute political decisions.
- She was astute to know that Martin was only using her to get ahead of his career.
- It is important to be astute about how you behave when you go to a new country.
- Her lack of astute made her fail in everything that she does.
- She is not very astute at letting the children play with sharp objects.
- The astute worker used her meeting with her boss to ask for a salary increase.
- The astute businessman went from rags to riches by using one great idea.
How Do You Spell Astute?
“Astute” is spelled as “A.S.T.U.T.E.”
A common mistake people make when spelling the word “astute” is forgetting to add the letter “e” at the end. Spelling is a critical component of communications. And with poor spelling, you interfere with your ability to communicate.
How Do You Pronounce Astute?
The word “astute” is pronounced as “uhs,choot.”
It helps to know the right pronunciation whenever you learn a new word. That way, you can effectively use it when communicating with other people.
How Many Syllables Are In Astute?
The word “astute” has two syllables. The syllables are divided as “as and tute.” The stressed syllable is .tute.
History & Etymology of Astute
The word “astute” comes from the Latin word “astus.” This word means “craft”. The word was introduced in the English Language as “astute” to imply someone is keenly observant and forms a sound judgment.
When Was Astute First Used?
The word “astute” was first used in 1565.
Conclusion
If you come across the word “astute” for the first time, you might be confused about how to pronounce or use it in a sentence. However, you now know how to embrace the word with the discussed astute definition, meaning, and usage in sentences. Now that you have learned the word ensure you practice it as many times as possible for a detailed understanding.
Shawn Manaher is the founder and CEO of The Content Authority. He’s one part content manager, one part writing ninja organizer, and two parts leader of top content creators. You don’t even want to know what he calls pancakes.